The launch of Same Sky by Cindy Keong is now just a handful of days away… so I thought that it was time to open the covers of the book here at ALS and share a poem with you all. Here’s the achingly beautiful Not Ready Yet.

*****

Not Ready Yet

My mother is serene in her hospital bed.
Comfort is the slow drip of saline and
her out-of-tune breath.

Days are connected by a footbridge
of waiting. I expand my scientific
vocabulary with words that mean death.

My brothers huddle in the courtyard
sipping coffee from paper cups. The plate glass
prevents me from hearing, but I can read faces.

We talk, well at least I do. She slides off
her engagement ring, places it my palm
warm and worn thin from 50 years of marriage.

I hold the ring for hours thinking, what I’d give
to wake at dawn and hear her
whistle in tune with the radio.

*****

I would also like to thank everyone who has ordered a copy of the book this week. I can announce that the lucky person who will receive a free copy of First Words Volume 1: Private Conversations by Cameron Hindrum is Martha Landman. The pre-launch special ends this Saturday, so for all of you who still want to take advantage of this deal, you can do so at: anotherlostshark.bigcartel.com